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Brent Spiner is best known for his portrayal of Data, the emotionless android science officer who longs to understand humanity, in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994). The character became one of the franchise’s most enduring creations, and Spiner’s restrained, precise delivery—often undercut with subtle warmth and wit—helped Data transcend science‑fiction cliché to become a central figure within the TNG ensemble. Across the late 1980s and into the 1990s, he balanced memorable genre work with appearances in major feature films, establishing himself as one of the era’s most dependable supporting players. His presence contributed to a broader Star Trek revival in British popular culture during the late 1980s and 1990s, while his work outside the franchise demonstrated his range across stage, television, and cinema.

... Brent Spiner’s career origins lie in American theatre and television, where he built a reputation for versatile character work before breaking into the science‑fiction mainstream with Star Trek: The Next Generation. The late 1980s line‑up of TNG showcased his capacity to fuse analytical intellect with dry wit, qualities that would define Data and inform his subsequent screen appearances. After Star Trek, Spiner pursued a broad mix of projects across film and television, returning to the Star Trek universe in later features and in the series Star Trek: Picard. His enduring association with the franchise, alongside a substantial body of work in other genres, has solidified his status as a durable figure in genre and character acting, influencing a generation of performers who value both technical skill and comic timing. Then & Now The 1980s In the 1980s Brent Spiner broke through with his defining role as Data, the emotionless android on Star Trek: The Next Generation, a part that debuted in 1987 and quickly became one of the series’ most memorable figures. His precise, restrained delivery—laced with subtle warmth and wit—helped Data transcend science‑fiction cliché and made the character a central emotional and intellectual presence within the TNG ensemble. During this period he balanced his genre work with steady appearances across film, television and stage, establishing himself as a dependable supporting player. His presence was a key element in the late‑20th‑century Star Trek revival and helped broaden the franchise’s appeal in popular culture. Now (2026) As of 2026 Spiner remains most closely identified with Data, a role he has reprised in later Star Trek feature projects and appearances within the franchise, while continuing to take occasional screen and stage work. He also appears regularly at fan conventions and interviews, where he reflects on the creative decisions that made Data enduring, and he remains a sought‑after character actor for projects that value precise, character‑driven performances. Above all, his legacy is the humane, inquisitive android that influenced how science fiction treats non‑human characters and inspired generations of viewers and performers. Career timeline 1949 Born Brent Spiner on 2 February 1949. 1987 Star Trek: The Next Generation premieres; Spiner debuts as Data. 1994 Star Trek: The Next Generation concludes its run. 1996 Appears in major films including Independence Day and Star Trek: First Contact. 1997 Appears in the comedy Out to Sea. 2000 Stars in Dude, Where’s My Car?. 2001 Appears in I Am Sam. 2002 Co‑stars in The Master of Disguise. 2005 Stars in the television series Threshold. 2020–2023 Reprises Data in Star Trek: Picard. 2023 Star Trek: Picard continues to expand Spiner’s legacy within the Star Trek universe. — Legacy as a defining 1980s/1990s sci‑fi performer persists in popular memory. Public reference sources Public biography and credit reference.Brent Crude Oil Price Today — Live Chart & Spot Price Public biography and credit reference.Brent Crude Oil Price Today $76.01 (-0.38%) — Live Oil Prices Public biography and credit reference.Brent Crude Oil Futures Price Today - Investing.com Biographical and credit details were checked against Brent Crude Oil Price Today — Live Chart & Spot Price, Brent Crude Oil Price Today $76.01 (-0.38%) — Live Oil Prices, Brent Crude Oil Futures Price Today - Investing.com, Crude Oil Price Today | Brent OIL PRICE CHART | OIL PRICE PER BARREL ..., Brent Crude Oil Futures Contracts | Oilprice.com.